Antiq Panty, Victorian Mourning Buttons & More
Updated September 6, 2026
| Lot number | 87 |
| Category | Antiques & Furniture |
| Auction | September 2026 Mixed Estates #2 |
| Date | September 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM CDT |
| Auction house | Don Guthery Auctions |
| Location | Springdale, Arkansas |
antique panty buttons, a Victorian mourning button, and mother-of-pearl links. •Panty Buttons (The Bagged Set)The 10 off-white, two-hole buttons in the plastic bag are known historically as panty, underwear, or corset buttons.Material: Hand-carved from animal bone (typically bovine), which is why they display natural variations in color, ring marks, and slight inconsistencies in thickness.History: Commonly used from the 19th century through the 1920s for utility undergarments like corsets, union suits, and children's pantywaists. Bone was favored because it was inexpensive, incredibly durable, and could withstand aggressive boiling and washing rituals. •Mourning Button (The Large Carved Piece)The large, intricate dark black/brown button is a classic Victorian mourning button.Material: Usually molded from vulcanite (hardened vulcanized rubber) or gutta-percha, which takes on a matte, deep brown or faded khaki tone over time.History: Popularized in the late 1800s following the permanent mourning state of Queen Victoria. Strict social etiquette dictated that grieving individuals could only wear dark, non-reflective matte materials during the initial phases of mourning. This specific piece features popular floral and radial pinwheel relief designs common to the era. •Mother-of-Pearl (The Small Linked Set)The pair of small circular buttons joined by a metal mechanism are mother-of-pearl (MOP) cuff links or shirt studs.Material: Carved from the inner nacre layer of natural mollusk shells. They exhibit a signature iridescent, opalescent sheen when caught by the light.History: Prior to the post-WWII explosion of cheap plastic fasteners, natural shell buttons were mass-produced heavily along the Mississippi River valley to supply everyday wear across America. These particular items feature a fine metal backing rim to protect the brittle shell slice.
